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OCEANO Gomera S.L. | Whale & Dolphin Watching

Our traditional Canarian fishing boat, the Ascensión del Senor, and the sailing boat Trianabow riding!Cory's ShearwaterLoggerhead turtleBryde's whalePilot whales

La Gomera is one of the best places in Europe to watch dolphins and whales in the wild: 23 of the known 85 cetacean species have been observed here already and Whale Watching is possible throughout the year.

The best time is in the springtime, from March till the beginning of June, when OCEANO’s sighting rates peak at nearly 100%. During these months, we usually see at least one species but often two or three on every excursion. But also throughout the rest of the year, sighting rates range between 80% and 90%, as there are many non-migrating species around the Canary Islands (such as Bottlenose dolphins, Pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins etc.).

Of course, OCEANO cannot give sighting guarantees, as these are wild, free-living animals. We expect of our nature loving guests that they will appreciate what the ocean is willing to show us in that moment - very often dolphins or even a whale, sometimes sea turtles, ospreys, leaping tuna, or simply spectacular views of the island and breathtaking sunrises or sunsets over the ocean. During the warmer months there might be time for a swim break.

Every one of OCEANO’s boat trips is new and different as we are dealing with wild animals, which are constantly moving through the ocean. During 3 - 4 hours our expert OCEANO team will give its best so that you encounter these fascinating animals in a respectful way and share their knowledge about the ocean and its inhabitants. And chances are good...

Months

January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December

Duration

Half-day (3-6 hours)

Vessel types

Small boat (0-50 passengers) • Under sail / Yacht

Times and prices

Times and prices : We offer 2 tours daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and regularly also sunrise and sunset tours (departure time depending on summer or winter time, please enquire). We sail out with a maximum of 10 guests per boat guided by our expert team. Price: 40,00 €/adults and 26,00 €/children up to the age of 11 years old.

This amount includes one Euro for the environment, which will be donated: 0,50€ to atmosfair for the compensation of the emission of greenhouse gases and 0,50€ for the protection and investigation of the cetaceans.

Reservations directly at our OCEANO office or via our homepage (please reserve your tour in advance as we are usually quite well booked).

 

About our skippers and naturalist guides

For the expert team at OCEANO the highest priority is to conduct respectful and sustainable Whale Watching, to raise knowledge and awareness of the marine mammals and the oceans, to treat the planet's and our own resources respectfully and - of course - to make sure their guests can enjoy the Whale Watching tours to the fullest. All OCEANO guides are multilingual (German / English / Spanish) and are educated in different areas like tourism, outdoor education, social work, etc. - what they all have in common is their enthusiasm for dolphins and whales and the passion to share it with their guests.

Facilities

Access to wheelhouse • Deck with 360?vision • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On-site visitor center / museum • Onboard research • Posters / displays / maps • Public participation in research • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct

We frequently

See leaping dolphins • Watch whales and dolphins

Baleen Whales

Bryde's Whale

Toothed Whales

Short-finned Pilot Whale

Ocean Dolphins

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin • Bottlenose Dolphin • Rough-toothed Dolphin

Other wildlife and points of interest

Occasionally we see Striped and Common dolphins, Cuvier's and Blainville's Beaked whales, Sperm whales. Other animals we see: Cory's Shearwater, Ospreys, terns, sea turtles (caretta caretta), tuna (often leaping), sharks, rays From the ocean we have an amazing and different view of La Gomera with its famous table mountain "Fortaleza", the UNESCO world heritage national park "Garajonay", its many steep valleys and the cliffs shining in vivid shades of orange in the sunlight. On most days we can see also the other islands of La Palma, El Hierro and Tenerife.

Address
Calle Quema, 7, Edificio Amaya
Town / City
Vueltas - Valle Gran Rey
State / County
La Gomera
Zip / Postcode
38870
Country
Spain
Website
Tel
0034 922 805 717
Email
Cathrin
Unforgettable moments
Traveled: 2013-03-21, Reviewed: 2013-05-17
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I got one Whale Watching tour with OCEANO as a birthday present. As i found out on their website, the best time to see the animals is in spring, i decided to come in march with a friend.

When we went to the harbor, i got really excited because i could not imagine that i might see dolphins and whales during the next hours. Since i am a little child, it was my dream and on my "to do" - list to see these animals in reality. And we really did! I will never forget the moment, when i first saw a dolphin. They were full of joy, they even jumped out of the water. We also saw pilot whales. They seemed to be very calm and continued their way while we could watch them from aboard. All of a sudden there was silence on board and everybody became really calm.
The guide (who talked in english as well) gave us information about the animals and we could always asked questions.

The thing i liked the most regarding the philosophy of OCEANO is their attitude, that we are the guests and the animals are the hosts. And you could really feel that the team is actually living this motto as we stopped the engine of the boat when we met for example the pilot whales. Also, the team told us right from the beginning on, that they can not give a guarantee to see animals. I think this is really respectful and gave me kind of a good feeling to do and enjoy the tour.

I can just say that i loved the team, the tour (which i will never forget!) and the Island - so i will definately come back!
Vanessa_86
A must do for whale watching lovers
Traveled: 2013-02-21, Reviewed: 2013-05-14
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I saw a lot of different dolphins and even pilot whales! It was a great excursion with a great team. They were very competent and friendly. They are offering a very good combination of the fun and astonishing parts of Whale Watching as well as the scientific and educating aspects of this work, with focus on sustainabilty and respect with the cetaceans.
You are doing a great job, keep it up!
Tobias
The most incredible experience you can have with whales and dolphins!
Traveled: 2013-04-18, Reviewed: 2013-05-12
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
It was my first time on La Gomera and the first time for me to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. The trip with the little traditional fishing boat exceeded all expectations! On my first tour I did not just see one species but three, some of them showing interaction with the boat like bow riding, leaps and, as the motor was switched off, the Pilot whales stayed pretty close to the boat. It was magnificent and especially the sound of the breathing I will never forget.
What I really liked was that we were just 10 people on board so that it was very personal and we all became a "whale watching unity" for the 3.5hrs on board. It was an easy and relaxed atmosphere where we also got much information about the whales and dolphins we saw and for those, who got more specific questions, was an information night about the whales and dolphins off La Gomera.

I will definitely come back to the beautiful island and I am looking forward doing another tour with OCEANO.
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2013 Responsible Whale Watch Partnership:Click here to read more about the partnership